Tests

They are the real vampires.  They suck out your GPA, your energy and pretty much your whole life.  And I have three left to take before Thursday morning, when I fly back home.
Now THAT would make a great book.  "Ella, your grade is like a drug to me," Edwin said. (There were more allusions I wrote, but trust me, you're glad I deleted them.)

Step By Step

After writing over 30,000 words in November, I'm stuck.  Why?  You tell me!  I have the turning part in the story, the big reveal if you will, coming up, and I'm stuck!  Very frustrating.
On a completely related note, I've been listening to the openings and closings of the anime Detective Conan.  Because it's in Japanese, I don't get all that distracted by the music and I can write more.  There's a couple stanzas that I really like in the first closing song.  (This is from Anime Lyrics dot Com).
Step by step/I won't be impatient/Case by case/Unconcerned, I'll pass the time laughing/[...]/ I gotta go my own way.
Step by step/I'm gonna do things the way I like/Case by case/ and I don't mind, even if that's the hard way/[...]/I gotta go my own way.
I guess the best way to finish is to go step by step and take things one thing at a time.  Even if other people think it would be easier to schedule times, or to write in a notebook, or whatnot, I know that for me the best way is to write when I can, take my finals, then write a little more.  Even if it's hard to focus.  "I gotta go my own way!"

I'm going to a Christmas party!!!!

except up till now I was going on a ward activity to the temple.  Now my roommate has absconded with my christmas present.  Sad...
(See, totally working on my goal!)

Surprise! I'm lazy!

I was pretty much impressed by a friend on goodreads.com.  Or, more specifically, her blog.  (It's here, in case you were wondering.)  Then I looked at my own blog.  And felt like a loser.
I know she updates everyday, then I looked at my own blog.  The last three posts (counting this one) were all in three different months.  And felt like a loser (again).
So what's stopping me from updating?
Well, I am a college student. I'm busy.  I go to school, work and try to have some semblance of a social life.
NOT a good excuse.  I don't really have a social life anyway.
So what's the excuse?  Bottom line: I'm lazy.
I really hate it when it's a problem with me instead of everyone else.  Life is so much harder this way.
I'm pretty sure this is also why I didn't win NaNo.  I wasn't putting enough time.  I wasn't being consistent.
So my new goal?  Write and blog three times a week.  Or more.
I can totally do this...

Yes, I AM still alive

Yeah, I know, a little late.  Actually, a lot late.  I'm pretty much done with NaNo, finishing with about 30k.  I decided to only do it in November, unlike what the previous post said, and it was way fun and hard.
Mostly hard.
I'm still going to work on that story, but now my goal is to finish before the holidays.  This will be interesting with finals coming up...
I'll also be putting up the next part of Lady.  Promise.  As soon as I write it.
And on a random note: the boots I earned by allowing a sadistic nurse to put cold metal under my skin and squirt cold, demonic liquid into my bloodstream (Actually, the nurse who gave me my flu shot was very nice.  Albeit with a sadistic job) should come today!!!!  I'm so excited, especially because they look a little like Lightning's (from Final Fantasy XIII) boots.  I can't wait to get home!!!!See?  Lightning's boots...

and my boots.  Ok, not identical or anything, but I still think they look similar.

More excuses...

But they're not exactly bad excuses.  See, that's the hard thing about college.  When midterms come everything else goes down the drain: social life (thank goodness for Sundays), tv time, generally goofing off, and writing a certain story on a certain blog.  So, I apologize for not getting last week's update up too.  I'm aiming for this Tuesday (I'm changing the update day), so cross your fingers.  Last year with only 15 hours of work and 12 credits was a lot easier.  (I work about 19 hours and have 14 credit hours and have to declare my major by the end of the semester.  Hello stress!)
What's the other reason I haven't really updated?  Well, have you heard of NaNoWriMo?  November's a terrible time to choose to write 50,000 words.  At least, it is for a college student who has final coming up.  So I've changed it a bit for me.  My goal is to write 50,000 words in October and November.

Apologies

and virtual cookies (the good kind) and any other forms of bribery I can think of.  Unfortuantely, as you guys have probably already figured out, I won't be able to write the next part of Lady until next week.  A huge thank you to those who follow the story (officially or unofficially)!!!

Lady, Part VII

“Jenna, who is that?” Dane asked slowly.

            “Oh crap.  This is not good.  Dane, put this on.”

            Jenna shoved a bag onto his lap.

            “Ummm, Jen?”

            She didn’t bother looking at him.  “Just put it on!  When you finish grab the blue backpack behind you.”

            Jenna sped up, feeling hunted as the bright red Porsche drove behind her.

            “What do you want me to do with this?”

            She turned on the cruise control and unclipped her seatbelt.  “Take the wheel while I put this stuff on.”

            Jenna put Lady’s costume over her dark dress.  “Okay, I’m good now.”

            “Why are you dressing as Lady?” Dane asked slowly, as though he knew the answer.

            “Because I have to.  Do you know who’s behind us now?  Why you’re dressed in Butler’s padded suit?” Lady spoke with a flawless British accent.

            Dane nodded.  “Stay quiet?”

            Lady nodded.  “Butler’s voice is much deeper than yours.  If you talk you’ll give yourself away.”

            She gradually slowed the car, finally stopping in the middle of the narrow road.  Ringleader’s Porsche stopped behind her.

            Lady and Dane got out, facing Ringleader.

            Ringleader, dressed in the red coat and tan breeches of his namesake, seemed to loom over her as he asked, “So what brings you here, dear Lady?”

            “A challenge,” she said simply.  “All the police are here.”

            “Ahhh,” he replied.

            Strong Man got out of the car and stood solidly behind Ringleader.  A warning.

            “Now, Butler and I have to go, so if you wouldn’t mind, you’ll need to move your car.”

            “Lady, why would you stop if that was all you wanted to say?”

            “You were following too close.  I can’t turn around with you behind me.”

            Ringleader smiled maliciously.  “I don’t think I’ll just let you go, though.”

            Panic surged through Lady, and she swallowed several times to suppress it.  “Why not?  What harm can Butler and I cause you?”

            “You and Butler?  Not much.  But you and young Daniel Waite could cause a bit.”

            “What does Dane have to do with anything?  I don’t even know where he is!”

            Ringleader nodded at Strong Man, his slicked-back dark hair beginning to slip forward.  “We know exactly where Dane is.”

            There was a resounding crack through the silent woods, then Dane grabbed his shoulder.

            “Look at that,” Ringleader said coolly.  “I found him.”

Lady, Part VI

Butler swung the car to the front steps Jenna was sitting on.  She jumped up and opened the driver’s door.  “Butler, I can’t ask you to go with me.  If I…get caught in the crossfire I don’t want you to be involved.”

            Butler smiled.  “I know.  I’m coming anyway.  It’s not like anyone other than you cares about me, or even knows who I am.  My lot’s with you.”

            Jenna embraced the older man and gently turned him around.  “Sorry, Butler.  I still can’t ask you to put your life on the line like that.  Dane’s in trouble, and I have to help him.  You stay here and protect these people.  The man said something about three rings, and only one of them is in the forest.  I’ll take care of that one if you see if you can find the bombs and disable them or something.”

            “You can rely on me,” he said simply. 

            “Be careful!”

            Jenna got into the car and sped away.

            What do I know?  Dane is in the forest to the left of the mansion. What can I do? Find him.  How am I supposed to find him?

            She didn’t know the answer to the last question, just followed the road around the trees.  If she could just find one officer, they could radio for Dane.

            A siren blared from behind her, it’s lights flashing through the dark forest.

            Darn it.  I don’t have time for this right now!

            Jenna laughed at her reaction, slowing the car down and pulling to the side of the road. 

            “Do you know how fast—Jenna?” Dane stared at her in disbelief.

            Jenna felt her whole body collapse in relief.  “Oh good.  I was trying to find you.”

            “By…speeding.” He rubbed his face.  “Jenna, this is why I say you do stupid things!  What are you even doing here?  And why on earth are you wearing that dress?”

            “Dane, there’s no time for that.  Get in the car.  I think someone’s planted a bomb here.”

            Dane stared at her.  “Where is it?”

            Jenna shrugged.  “I overheard someone saying they’ll detonate something in the forest.  Hurry, get in!”

            He didn’t move.  “Did he say anything else?  Any clue that could help me find it?”

            “Dane, you’re not on the bomb squad.  Get in, use the radio to call them in.  Just get in the car!”

            He got in, reporting on his radio.  “Take it easy on the speed, ok?”

            Jenna started the car again, looking for some place to turn around on the narrow road. 

            She glanced around, the odd feeling that someone was watching her setting in, giving her goosebumps.  Then, to her horror, a car began to come up behind her.  Fast.

Music

I know, I've talked about music and writing and how they and very interconnected before, but really, when I hear this song or any song from the Final Fantasy XIII (yup, my secret's out, I LOVE playing FF!!!) I can't help but want to invoke these kinds of moods in my writing.

Amazing, no?

Lady, Part V

Sorry for the late update, guys!!!

Lady slipped through the trees leading up to the mansion.  Light poured outside through the huge windows, forcing Lady to cling to the trunk of the tree. 

            “Patrol three, search the woods!”

            Several policemen ran off behind the house, Dane among them.  Lady stifled a sigh of relief at his retreating back and slipped onto the roof.

            Wedging herself behind the chimney, Lady changed into a dark blue sheath dress.  She shoved her usual costume in her bag and placed it in the nearby tree.  Silently, she slinked across the branch over to the window she had prepared earlier.  She took out a stiff bit of wire, threaded it through the small hole and caught it on the latch.

            A tug, a slid of the window, and Lady was in.

            “What’re you doin’ behind the curtains?”

            A very drunk older man blinked at her owlishly, trying to focus.

            Lady smiled, covering her cheeks as if to hide a blush and stepped away from the gauzy fabric.  “My dad took me here, but I ran into my ex.”

            The drunk peered nearsightedly around the room.  “Who’s your ex?” he asked.

            But Lady wasn’t listening anymore.  Her complete attention was on the man behind her and the woman he was escorting.

            “…finished setting everything up,” she finished.

            The man was silent, and Lady cursed that she couldn’t turn around to see his face.

            “All three rings?  Around the forest too?”

            “Of course,” she responded haughtily.

            “Good.  When we leave give the order for the detonation.”

            “Where’s your ex?” the man repeated.

            Lady smiled charmingly at him, and whispered, “You’ll have to excuse me, he’s coming this way.”

            With that, she swept behind the curtains again, opened the window and leapt into the tree.

            Dane.  Dane’s in the forest.  I have to warn him!  The only thing anyone detonates is…bombs.

            She prepared to jump down the tree when common sense took over.  Running into danger won’t help anyone, she chided herself.

            Flipping open her phone, she pushed the seventh speed dial.  For luck.

            “Jenna?  You’re out all ready?” Butler answered, surprised. 

            There was a click and the acid rock turned off.  “Sorry, I wasn’t expecting you yet.”

            “Butler, we have a problem.  Please tell me something other than bombs detonate!”

            “Jen, calm down.  Did you meet Ringleader or something?  I told you not to steal in the place Ringleader’s marked as his next victim! But no, you had to run off and ‘run circles around the boys in blue’!”

            Lady laughed, despite the situation. “I’m pretty sure I never called them the ‘boys in’,” she froze.

            “Blue,” she whispered.  “That’s who Ringleader meant, not bluebloods, but police officers.”

Lady, Part III (and IV)

Hooray for Labor Day!  In honor of having no school or work I'm posting TWO (that's right TWO) parts!

“Jenna!  You’re finally home!” Austin said, looking up from the old TV.

            Jenna smiled at her brother.  Austin was the stereotypical All-American Boy.  He was the football quarterback in high school, valedictorian and was now a police officer working in traffic.  He had always been her idol growing up, protecting her from everything he could.

            “What cha’ watching?”

            Austin grinned broadly, running a hand through thick blond hair.  “Lady!  There’s a bit of footage from her run tonight!”

            “Only a bit?” Jenna replied, perching herself next to him on the arm of the beat-up sofa.

            “Yeah, one of the police officers had a camera in his car.  It’s not very clear, though.”

            Thank goodness, she thought.  Austin would have recognized her way too fast.

            “Was Dane on duty?”

            “Of course I was.”

            Dane walked through the door, shaking his head at Jenna.  “You shouldn’t leave the door open when you come home.”

            Daniel Waite was the opposite of Austin.  While Austin was very muscular, Dane had a corded look.  Austin had blond hair and blue eyes, while Dane was dark.  But when it came to personality, they were practically identical.  He had been their next-door neighbor all their lives, even now that they had moved away from home.

            “I just barely walked in.”

            “You do stupid things, Jenna. Someone could have come inside, shot you two and robbed the place.”

            “It wouldn’t be that easy,” Austin replied.  “I wouldn’t just let them come in.  But sit down and tell us about the case!”

            “Don’t tell me you’re a Lady fan too,” groaned Dane. 

            “Too?” Austin and Jenna echoed.

            “Quotes, pictures, stories-- you name it, it’s up on the web.”  He sighed and stretched out his long legs, looking tired.  “We don’t need Lady causing trouble.”

            “To be fair, she’s only stealing once in a while.  The police aren’t that busy, right?” Jenna said.

            “We’re always busy.  Rumor is that Ringleader is coming.  If it’s true things are going to get really bad, really fast.”

            “Who’s Ringleader?” Austin asked.

            Dane raised his eyebrows.  “Don’t you watch the news?”

            “Only when Lady’s on,” he grinned.

            “Another Lady fan.  Great.  Ringleader’s a leader of a syndicate called the Circus.   He’s got his hand in just about anything illegal.  Human trafficking, drugs, you name it. He practically owns the black market.”

            He reached into his pocket and dropped a small red and yellow can in Jenna’s hand.  Pepper spray.  “Be careful, ok Jen?” He ruffled her hair.

            Jenna stared at the can.  “Don’t worry about me, Dane,” she whispered.

            “What’s wrong, Lady?” Butler asked.  “Did Austin or Dane figure it out?”

            “No,” Jenna hissed into the phone.  “Do you know what Dane gave me tonight?  Pepper spray.  I’ve taken karate since I was a kid, I’ve tackled both him and Austin to the ground three times each, I’ve avoided the police for almost two years, and he gives me pepper spray and tells me to stay inside like a good girl!”

            Silence, then, “Jenna, I’m not really a therapist.  Can’t you just tell Dane all this?”

            Jenna sat on her bed, resigned.  “No, because he’ll know who both of us are. He’s not an idiot.  He’ll figure that my part-time job is a lie and that my boss is actually my accomplice and you’ll be in trouble too.”

            “Jenna, I trust you.  If you think Dane should be told, then go ahead.  I’m old and bored and don’t care too much what happens to me.  You’re an adult, decide what you’re going to do.”

            Anger flared up in her again.  “At least you admit I’m an adult, that’s more than Dane!” she paused, then, “get me a target for tomorrow after I sell the gem.”

            “That’s not a good idea, Jenna.  Ringleader’s just given the police a warning.”

            “A warning?  What kind of warning?”

“He calls it an invitation, but it’s a notice of who he’s going to target.”

“What does it say?  Do you know?”

Butler laughed.  “Of course I know.  Yellow and red make a nice canopy, don’t you think? I need to take out the blue and my Circus will look great.”

“What’s that supposed to mean?  Take out the blue?”

“Tomorrow’s the reunion for the alumni of an old prep school.  In other words, a gathering of—”

           “Bluebloods. Get me a target anyway.  The police will figure out the riddle and protect them.”

Lady Thief (Part Two)

“Well, Milady?  Don’t you think that was cutting it a little close?  I DID warn you that the police thought you’d steal the sapphire.  That was a little…foolhardy.”

            Lady laughed, grabbing her backpack from the seat next to her.  “Most butlers don’t berate their employers.”

            Butler rolled his eyes.  “I’m 63.  If I can’t lecture you, then who?”

            The thief grinned at the back of Butler’s head.  “Well, that’s true.  I’m almost 22, though!”

            She was sitting directly behind his chair, and slid onto the floor.  Her long fingers quickly unbuttoned the navy blouse and threw the t-shirt on top of the white tank top.  Her long pleated navy skirt was changed for basic dark blue jeans with holes in both of the knees.  After changing the soft ballet shoes for red tennis shoes and pulling shoulder-length hair out of the elegant bun, the transformation was complete. 

            “Jenna, where are we going?  Am I dropping you off at your house, or the safe house?”

            Jenna threw her gloves in the bag and shoved her costume behind her.  “I’m going back home.  I promised Austin I wouldn’t work so late, and I have to keep that promise if I’m going to sell the gem tomorrow night.”

            “Your brother still hasn’t figured out you’re Lady?” Butler laughed.  “I thought you said he’d be hard to fool!”

            Jenna folded her arms across her small chest.  “I thought he would be! Austin doesn’t suspect anything at all!  And do you know what’s worse?  Dane hasn’t figured it out either!”

            Butler’s head cocked.  “You want Dane to figure it out?  Isn’t that a little risky?  He IS a police officer,.”

            She deflated.  “I don’t know.  I just thought he’d figure it out, but he seems to think we’re still seven!”

            “Oh, is that the problem?  You want him to notice you as a young woman?”

            Jenna flushed bright red.  “Butler…” she warned.

            “If you won’t admit you like him,” he shrugged.

            “This is great. I’m taking romance advice from an old man!”

            “I was married.”

            Jenna stared out the window.  “It doesn’t matter anyway.” 

Lady Thief

           She carefully slid down the tree, the cool bark slipping through her hands as she landed crouched on the roof.  Moonlight slid around her as she slowly straightened up.  Soft blue eyes looked around the yard, but saw no one. 

            She walked silently over to the skylight the couple had stubbornly insisted designing.  A small smirk crossed her soft face as she opened the window.  It was unlocked.

            Experimentally, she sniffed the air inside the house.  Still dusty, she thought as she took out the dentist’s mask she kept in her small bag.  No sense in risking sneezing. 

            She took the grappling hook and rope out of the bag and hooked it on the side of the window, letting the rope drop down two feet short of the floor.

            Bathed in moonlight, she slipped down the rope, her dark gloves protecting her hands.   Landing softly, she walked to the bookcase next to the old couple’s bed.

            Let’s see, pull out The Moonstone and put it next to…Treasure Island!  She pulled the first book down to the bottom shelf and held her breath.  The two books pushed the bottom of the shelf into the floor, revealing a small hole with a sapphire the size of her fist.  Without hesitating she took it and placed it in her bag.

            “Police!  We have the house surrounded!  Give up, Lady!”

            The sound was coming from the hallway.  The time for subtlety was long past.  Lady raced to the rope as the man and his wife woke up, yelling at her to give up as well.

            “Sorry sir, milady.  I just can’t do that,” she replied, her voice soft and her accent decidedly British.

            She sprung up the rope, flipping herself onto the roof while pulling the rope and hook after her.  She doubted her fingerprints were on it, but it was better to be safe then sorry.

            She looked around as she pulled the mask off and shoved it into the bag with the jewel and hook.  It hadn’t been a bluff.  The house was surrounded. 

            “Bring ladders over here!”  Swarms of police came around the house, carrying ladders and beginning to climb them up to her.

            “Sorry gentlemen,” Lady said,  “But a Lady needs her beauty sleep and I doubt I’ll find it in prison.”

            She pushed a button on the front of her dark jacket and a ladder slid down to her from a helicopter above.  She climbed it as quickly as she could in her long dark skirt and the black helicopter sailed away.

Since this IS a writing blog...

That's right (write? Ouch, lame joke).  I'm back to blogging.  I kinda left it a bit over the summer, in case you didn't notice.
BUT... I'm going to try something.  I'm writing a story just for this blog.  That's right (write? ok, I'll stop).  This is (as far as I can tell) the only place I'll put the story up.  So, the plan is once a week I'll post a bit of the story!  Yay! Starting....TODAY!!!

Just remember, I LOVE comments, especially when they're about my writing.  So feel free to comment!

BYU PRIDE BABY!!!!!

Yes, I go to BYU.  I actually work at the library as a shelver.  My world was totally made when I saw this ad for the HBLL (library).  BEYOND EPIC WIN!!!!!!  (That is, if you've seen the "Man your man could smell like" Old Spice commercials.


The original commercial (in case you haven't seen it.)

Backstory

Not gonna lie, backstory is something I love and something I rarely find.  I love not really liking Rosalie (Twilight) and then finding out why she hates being a vampire in Eclipse.  I loved not understanding Jasper and then hearing his totally amazing backstory (also in Eclipse).  I think that, in general, the masters of this are the manga-kas of Shoujo.  (For those of you who don't read manga, I'm talking about the artists/writers of girl manga).  I'm pretty sure every character had a complicated backstory in Fruits Basket, and I LOVE that.

Where am I going with this?  I've been thinking up backstories for each of my characters in the story I'm writing with my friend Reagan.  Already I notice the difference and it's crazy!!!!  I totally reccommend this to anyone, especially someone with a lot of characters.

Oh look--shiny!!!!

Yeah, that's sorta a problem with me.  Then, this morning I found this video on Jackson Pearce's blog.  Can I hear an EPIC WIN????  This is totally how I feel right now!

Sorry!

Yeah, not much excuse.  I have no job (still) and work on my computer all the time!!!  I promise I'll update more than 2+ times in a month.
I've been doing character sketches for Reagan and my story.  That's taking flippin' forever!  I just finished a short story that I may or may not put up here about a more minor character in the story.  I liked writing it, though!  I've also been editing (not much, but a little) and writing the next part.  I LOVE writing, in case you can't tell.
So, tell me in the comments if you want to know about little Danielle's backstory....

Job Hunt

Is it just me, or is it getting harder and harder to find a job??? I've put in applications, but haven't been hired yet...
On the plus side, I've gotten quite a bit of work done on the story.  I've been doing a character sketch for Alex right now, and I'm surprised how different his character is in my head to on the page.  Just another thing to fix, I guess.

My blurb

This is the blurb I wrote for my half of the story I've been working on!!!

As August rolls around Cassandra decides to enjoy the very last of summer vacation as much as possible.  For her this means shopping with her mom and riding her ponies with her best friend, Shay.  Unfortunately, her dad has other ideas.  Now Cassandra’s on her way to Paris, where she’ll go to a boarding school. At least she has Pierre, the very cute boy who lives in the same house as her, and his roommate, Alex. But Alex wants to teach her more than just math.  With Alex by her side, life at L’Ermitage becomes…magical.

Sorry!

Yes, I know.  Bad me.  Have I updated in a while?  Nope.  Like I told my little brother once while I was babysitting: You can apologize once and mean it, or you can say "I'm sorry" 100 times.  Don't worry, I meant it.
My excuse isn't a bad one, though!  I've been editing my story a ton!  I'm up to 23%, which doesn't sound like a lot until I say that's 101 pages edited.  Phew!  Oh, that and I've been playing Final Fantasy XIII.
Fun fact!!!!
Phineas (from Disney's Phineas and Ferb):

and Hope (from Final Fantasy XIII):

are voiced by the same person.  I found that out tonight.  It blew my mind.  (Plus, it takes my current favorite things and puts them together!!!  I absolutely LOVE both Phineas and Hope!!!!!!!!)
Does any one else with they could draw Hope like this?  I totally wish I could!

Why I watch TV

  

Ok, there are actually several reasons.  One of which is I'm lazy.  But one is also my version of people watching.  Let me explain.

     Today I was watching the Nick show, iCarly. (Quick disclaimer: Do I love that show?  Not really.  It's not one of my favorites.  However, nothing much was on and I didn't want to get up off my comfy chair and find something else to do.  I did mention I'm lazy, right?)  Anyway, my dad told me he couldn't believe I was watching that show.

     But while I was watching, I was also thinking.  It was the one (for those of you who know the show, or care or whatever) where Freddy pushes Carly out of the way of a truck, getting himself and broken arm/wrist and leg and generally getting hurt.  Carly is touched that he saved her and thinks she's fallen in love with him.  In the end, Freddy tells her that maybe they can be together after he heals up and makes sure that she likes him for him, not because of what he did.

     The whole time I was thinking, "What makes this compelling?"  The answer was: the sacrifice.  Even though Freddy has liked Carly since the very beginning, he wouldn't date her without knowing she felt the same way as he did.  (No matter how small it is, it seems I'm still a sucker for a sacrifice story--except Madagascar 2-type sacrifices :)

     This theme of sacrifice seems pretty big in the storytelling world.

Frodo gives up a quiet life and innocence to destroy the Ring and save Middle Earth.

Dashti (Book of a Thousand Days by Shannon Hale) gives up her freedom for her loyalty.

Aerin (Academy 7 by Anne Osterlund) gives up her secrets for trust and friendship.

Aslan gives up his life for Narnia.

     In all these stories someone sacrifices something for something bigger.  That knowledge doesn't mean the sacrifice is easy, but it reminds them that it is the right thing to do.  I think there's something about sacrifice that appeals to us, perhaps because it's a rare virtue in the "real world".

     So why do I watch TV?   (Besides the whole "lazy" thing.)  My writing is a lot stronger when I think about what makes other stories so captivating.  (Or at least enough that I don't really want to change the channel.)  Does this happen to anyone else?

Getting there...sorta

18%.  After hours of working, I have 18% of my story edited.

A little lesson

Something interesting I've learned about blogging--it's a lot harder to remember to update when there's nothing else you should be doing.
On the flip side, I've edited a lot more.  I now have...10.3%!!!!
I guess I'm getting there...

Slow and steady...

Yeah, I know that's what wins a race.  So I'm on my second edit since finishing Reagan and my book, and I'm...
*drumroll*
1.76% finished!!!!!
*sigh* better go back to it...

Photos are FUN!!!

Yes, not only did that have very nice alliteration, but it's true!  Just look at this gem I took of my sister!

Creepy?

Writing groups

Writing groups are absolutely FANTASTIC!!!!! I'm so excited!  I'm in the Mormon Mommy Writers yahoo! group.  This is what I wrote for my writing prompt.

Kayza smiled to herself, touching her cheek where Naylan had kissed her. Her! 
"Kayza, what are you doing?" snapped Tyrin.
For some reason, guilt snapped at her insides. What is this for? she thought. I didn't really do anything wrong!
"Nothing," she replied calmly.
"Right. I suppose you didn't think I saw that whole thing? What are you doing? Kayza, Naylan's your superior officer! What are you thinking, dating him?"
His anger towered over her, making her feel so small. Kayza squared her shoulders and tossed her dark hair. "Tyrin, you're my oldest friend. But you are not my boss."
"No, that's Naylan. But he's not even doing his job!"
"He's watching out for me, which is his job! What's your problem?" her temper threatened to spill over, and with an effort she kept it in check.
Tyrin seemed to deflate a bit as he said, "I just didn't think you'd fall for him, that's all."
Unsure of what to say, Kayza stayed silent. The air was heavy with words unsaid.
After a minute, Tyrin turned around and walked out of the room.


After reading some people's comments, I think I need my head deflated.  But I'm so happy!!!!!!!!!!!!!

The Silver Blade

What is it with me and silver?  Sheesh.  Anyway, this is the sequel to The Red Necklace.  J'ADORE the Red Necklace.  That's right, I love it so much it's worth French.  This book?  A little bit of a letdown.  Just a little, but it was still there.  Yann spends a little too much time pining over Sido.  I mean, I didn't want him to just keep moving even though he misses her, but this was a little indulgent.  I could have forgiven that, though, had it not been for other things.
The way the villain is finally defeated was not good enough for me.  I liked his first demise in book one wayyyyyyy better.  It's not that I couldn't see him coming back, but the way they got rid of him was just a little too easy.
Finally, not thrilled about Yann and Sido's little...breach in morality.  Let's leave it at that.  No, not graphic at all, but I kinda wish they had waited.  But that didn't mean I hated the book, it just dissappointed me a little.  It took it down to ***1/2.  I really did like that book, though.  Red Necklace is just a lot better.

This Must Be Love

I found this next to the Avatar Sequence that I've been reading...wow.  The wow was me being super impressed with the author, Tui T Sutherland, for writing so darn differently.  This book is fun, funny, and really cute.  The Avatar series is tense, exhilarating, and not cute.  But it's not supposed to be cute.  So impressed.  

This Must Be Love is about two girls, one who refuses to date until she finds her "soulmate", the other who can't buy a good boyfriend.  At the start, they both think they've found the One, (different guys, thank goodness, I'm not a huge fan of the whole "choose one" storyline) and are trying to get their attention.  Very funny.  I loved Hermia and Alex (Alex...why is every hero named Alex?!?  That's MY hero's name too!  Darn...but I love the name, so it's ok, haha) and thought Helena was...ok.  Maybe it's because I can relate to Hermia so much better because she wears her emotions on her sleeve, and Helena spends too much time worrying about looking "elegant".  That doesn't mean I didn't like Helena, it just means Hermia was more exciting.  I really did enjoy reading this, but I don't think I'll reread it. ***

Silverboy

I'm not gonna lie:  I really just checked this out for the cover.  I mean, look at it!  It looks so cool!  What I didn't expect was to like it so darn much.  Fun, believable, occasionally super sad, I loved this ride.  Whether I'd read it again, I dunno.  I loved Akenna, Tonno, and pretty much all the adults (or loved to hate them), which is rare because usually someone is a farce, which I hate. ***1/2

Simon Bloom: Gravity Keeper

How do you ignore a book with a title like that?  I thought the was a FANTASTIC kids book!  Ok, probably more middle school, but I loved it too.  (JD, if you're reading this post, read this book!)  Simon finds this book (or rather it finds him) called the Teacher's Edition of Physics.  With it, he can control gravity, velocity and other "ity" words that made me glad I didn't take physics.  That aside, I loved the characters and thought the book itself was super funny.  Definitely recommend it to 10+.  Any younger than that and they might get bogged down in the science. ***1/2

A quick except coming!!!!

Of the story Reagan and I just finished, I mean.  Also, we're trying to think up a title, so if anyone has any ideas, they would be very much appreciated.  Now I just have to find a good part...so enjoy this while you're waiting!

I can't even tell you how many times I've seen this, or why the heck I think it's so funny, but I think I've laughed every time I've seen it.

Technology

Why is blogger signing my name twice?????  If anyone knows how to fix this, I would really appreciate the help!!!!!  I tried googling it, but it didn't work.

Problems

already.  Darn it.  Do any of you have this problem?  I have two main stories going, one with Reagan, and one by myself.  I love them both, and in my head the storylines are totally different.  But writing it down, they're starting to seem really similar.  Unfortunately.  How do I make them more different?

Happiness

is spending the weekend with good friends, I've decided.  Thank you guys so much for being amazing friends for so long!  I miss you guys!  Stop going where it's freezing and come where it's only really cold, ok?

The Disreputable History of Frankie Landau-Banks

Hmm...another hard one to rate.  Ok, well, I loved the references to PG Wodehouse, but I wasn't so much of a fan of some of Frankie's choices.  Not that she was super-immoral or anything like that, but more PDA than I like.  Seriously, if I wanted to think about people making out, I'd walk around campus until I find a couple.  Even here it's not too hard.  But I digress

Frankie is brilliant, which I love.  She's a little cold though, with moments of emotion.  I actually liked Alpha and Matthew quite a bit, but when they were just goofing off like a pair of idiots that I'd want to see in person.  I'm not super-excited about this book, but I didn't hate it.  It was good, but not as good as the hype leads you to believe.  ***

As You Wish

Hmmm, some pluses and minuses.  Plus--I liked Viola, and how she knew the whole time dating Aaron wasn't the answer but she pervesely (teenager-ly) dated him anyway.  I just found it believable.  I loved her and Jinn, and I LOVED Jinn.  Seriously, I gotta start wishing more if he's what happens when you do.

Minuses--yeah, too much PDA, and I wasn't a huge fan of Lawrence's...orientation.  I don't really like books about gay people.  Sorry.  Not homophobic, just disagree.  And he's a jerk to date her for two years before telling her.  Didn't like that.  Liked his overall personality, but not his past, if that makes any sense.  Jinn pulls this to a *** book, but without him it would be **.  

Prada and Prejudice

Shock me.  I really liked this book.  It's loosely based off of Pride and Prejudice.  Loosely as in, there's not a character for each character.  And even though I more or less knew how it would end, I couldn't say exactly where in P&P Prada actually was.  If that makes sense.  I liked the characters, though it was a little typical with the shy girl coming out into society, etc.  But really, what's original anymore when you look that deeply?  I could figure out pretty fast the whole thing with the letters Callie finds, but other than that is was great!  Not as good as Enthusiasm, but still pretty great. ***1/2.  I dunno if I'll reread it, but I easily might.

Last Song

No, not the movie.  I'm not really a Miley girl.  At all, actually.  No, I mean this is the last song I'll put up here.  (For now, at least.)

I know some people like this...not me!!!! haha

Ok, I know I just did a song

But I love this one too much not to post it.  Haha, I like to think this is what Cassandra's thinking right now, between her junior and senior year.  That probably sounded cheesy, but I don't care!

Ok, I just love this song way too much to hide it!!!!

Everyone!  Enjoy this song!  Am I the only one who thinks he has one of the hottest voices...really pretty much ever?



Till I Hear You Sing, from Andrew Lloyd Webber's new musical, Love Never Dies.

Journey Through Fire

You can probably guess the way this review is going to go.  Look at the last three posts.  Actually, I think this one was a little bit better.  Kimi is a little bit too wild in this one, though.  I get that she's changed on the run and everything, but she's a little too con-rules this time.  Hana was a little too patient for the fantastic swords woman she supposedly is.  I'd of liked to see her "chomping at the bit" a little like Kimi was doing.  However, the very very last part was fantastic!  Not the part about the ninja--guessed that the end of the last book--but the other ninja and the last scene.  So, I'll definitely read the next one, but I'll hope it's a little trickier to figure out.  I did like Kimi's new "friend", the monk.  He was pretty cool.  It's not that this book wasn't good, but no where near as good as the first.  Not at the edge of my seat anymore. ***